Concept albums were once commonplace in the music industry. Grand, innovative art forms, dabblers in the 'concept' included everyone from Pink Floyd with Dark Side of The Moon to Kraftwerk and The Man Machine.

The BBC's denial of Mark Thompson meeting with Downing Street ministers to discuss spending cuts and the 'compromising' of its independence is an interesting one.

According to the BBC News website Mr Thompson was seen 'walking into Downing Street holding a memo from BBC's head of news, describing its new season of programmes about the government's spending review.'

Mr Thompson's spokesman said the director general 'discussed the possible participation of ministers in programmes about the spending review.'

Here's three records which have been released this month and are worthy of adding to your ipod this month while it's still here.

Arcade Fire: The Suburbs

Already described by some as the band's masterpiece, Montreal's Arcade Fire have moved away from claustrophobic remnants of Joy Division-esque isolation and closer to Coldplay and MGMT's mainstream territory on 2010's The Suburbs.